The Garcias Cousins are as close as any Mexican American extended familia you’ll find these days. While in their late 20s during the majority of the story, readers meet them as teenagers and get immediate insight into the dynamic of their bond. Erica is a reporter at a local news organization and dealing with her new hot-shot handsome boss. Selena is a social media guru at a PR agency navigating a friends-with-benefits situation along with a budding career. Gracie is a first-grade teacher who is unpleasantly surprised that a former classmate/crush will be her new colleague. And finally Mari, the estranged cousin whose marriage is in turmoil and wants a larger purpose than being a trophy wife. Big Chicas Don’t Cry by Annette Chavez Macias is a contemporary fiction novel following four primas as they deal with personal struggles while reminded of the most important thing in life: familia. 

Any Mexican American readers will undoubtedly relate to this story. Each chapter features the point-of-view from the main characters – Erica, sisters Selena and Gracie, and Mari. Erica, Selena, and Gracie have remained just as close as they were as teenagers. Mari has become estranged from her family ever since her parents’ divorce. According to Mari’s mother, their father and connection to the Garcia clan made poor choices and slacked on providing for his daughter. Consequently, Mari blamed him for her and her mother’s financial struggles and drifted away from the family. Naturally, the cousins hold it against her, but Erica takes it the hardest. Mari becomes the unseen elephant in the room without even being present. 

Aside from the family drama, readers understand immediately how close the Garcia family is. Then again, any Mexican American reader will understand the background even without the vibe that Chavez Macias creates. The ultra-matriarch of the family, great-grandmother Welita, is the rock that holds everyone down. She also encourages Erica, Selena, and Gracie to never give up on family.

After all, besides blood, they are all dealing with similar issues – complicated romance despite being in different types of relationships. Selena denies her growing feelings for her booty call while wanting to grow professionally. Erica gets off to a bad start with her new boss but inadvertently becomes close to him nonetheless. And devout Catholic Gracie prays to God to give her the strength to cooperate with her new colleague despite the history they have together. And then Mari, whose life in her large and beautiful home with her lawyer husband seems perfect, still feels empty without something to do for herself. 

As a half-Mexican reader who is all about the modern struggles, I absolutely loved Big Chicas Don’t Cry. Even if readers can’t relate on a cultural level, each of the four cousins’ stories have some element of relatability. Unrequited love, the “what are we, can we be more” trope, plus the deeper details beneath the surface that ultimately reveal themselves make for a powerful dynamic and story arc for each of them. Chavez Macias put much of her own family experiences in the Garcia family story, and readers will be grateful for the choices she made. 

Annette Chavez Macias joins us for a Cantina Conversation to talk about how her personal experiences influenced this story and what’s next on her plate. Keep an eye out for an upcoming episode of The Nerd Cantina Show podcast and order Big Chicas Don’t Cry, available now.